The perfect red manicure is always a good idea as it is eternally stylish, and one shade you can be sure people will notice. This means that the perfect application is essential, and every woman should learn how to DIY the classic red mani, sans smudges, bubbles and chips. Here are some tips on getting flawless ruby fingernails at home.

Care for your cuticles and your hands: nail care has been known to make or break your red manicure. Before you even break out the polish, tend to your cuticles by making use of nail masks or cuticle oil. It is a step you just can’t skip, especially with red polish. You have to make sure your cuticles are hydrated and pushed back, otherwise the red polish could ooze into the dryness and cause the cuticle to appear stained. Other tips include moisturizing the skin on your hands before and after painting, as well as wear gloves to protect your nails and hands from the effects of cold weather.

Apply a base coat: Staining is the one downside to red nail polish, but you can prevent that if you take the extra time to apply a base coat. Not only does it help protect the nails from staining, especially with a shade like red, but it also helps your manicure last a couple more days.

Pick the shape you like and ensure it is uniform: Nails can be any length with red polish, but please make sure all your nails are the same shape and length.

Find your red: Select a red nail polish that is flattering on all skin tones and good for the season and any occasion. Save the orange-reds for summer, while dark reds are very big for the winter season.

Take your time with painting: To avoid a mess, block off more than enough time to paint your nails, wait for them to dry, and fix mistakes. Red polish is one of the most challenging colors to apply on yourself, and there is no forgiving if it floods the cuticle. Take your time and make sure you have a cleanup brush handy to dip in polish remover to help with any polish that may have slipped outside the lines of the nail.

Dress up your manicure: Red polish stands out on its own, but you can amp up the color with this cool trick. After you apply your base coat, use a stark white polish and then apply red on top. It gives the manicure a unique brightness. You can also try some subtle nail art that won’t overshadow the color such as negative space, tiny dots, embellishments, or mini pearls.

Don’t forget the top coat: After you have finished painting, apply a top coat to your nails. To make your manicure last even longer, you can add another layer of top coat later in the day to add extra hardness and makes sure any minor smudges are smoothed away.